Home finale ‘emotional’

Warren Gatland admits he ‘‘got a bit choked up’’ during an emotional address to his team before his last test in Wales.

The former All Black’s 12-year tenure as Wales’ head coach will end after the Rugby World Cup when he will return to New Zealand to coach the Chiefs.

Gatland – who has guided Wales to four Six Nations titles – took his team to the Principality Stadium against Ireland yesterday for his final home test in Cardiff.

He admitted to a few emotional moments in his team talk prior to leaving the hotel.

‘‘Yeah, I was a bit lost for words and got a bit choked up,’’ Gatland said after Ireland’s 22-17 win.

‘‘It was emotional. I’ve loved my time. Even coming off the pitch I was quite emotional, thinking that was my last time here.’’

Gatland said wanted to ‘‘send a big thank you to everyone in Wales’’.

‘‘It’s a special nation. The people are very passionate and very kind. It will have a really special place in my heart.

‘‘It’s a nation of 3.3 million people and I think we’ve massively over-achieved in what we’ve done in the last 12 years.’’

Gatland said of his team: ‘‘We’re not finished yet. If we’re mentally and physically right, we’re capable of beating anyone in the world.

‘‘I honestly believe we’ll go a long way at this World Cup.’’

‘‘It’s a special nation ... It will have a really special place in my heart.’’ Warren Gatland, left after his final home game in charge of Wales

In a pre-match feature, Wales Online hailed Gatland for the way he had rebuilt the shattered confidence of Welsh rugby after the demoralising 2007 World Cup tournament exit in a loss to Fiji.

‘‘In 2008, almost overnight, he took a team of players who’d just been humiliated in front of the world and twisted the fabric of their minds to make them believe they were the best team on the planet,’’ Wales Online said.

‘‘He’s always been able to psychologically manipulate a group of players and that has been the genius of Gatland.’’ ■ (Kendra Cocksedge, Cindy Nelles 2, Lucy Anderson, Angie Sisifa, Te Rawia Capper, Olivia Mcgoverne, Alana Bremner, Georgia Ponsonby tries; Cocksedge 6 con)

(Janet Taumoli, Joanah Ngan-woo, Ayesha Leti-liga tries; Amanda Rasch 2 con). HT: 36-14.

Canterbury 57

Counties Manukau 37

Plenty 24

Auckland 41

Wellington 19

(Aotearoa Matau, Grace Gago, Lanulangi Veainu 2, Waikohika Flesher tries; Arihiana Marinotauhinu 3 con, 2 pen)

(Sapphire Tapsell 2, Kendra Reynolds, Natalie Walford tries; Tapsell 2 con). HT: 24-7.

■ (Patricia Maliepo, Isla Norman-bell, Princess Elliot 2, Charmaine Mcmenamin, Natahlia Moors, Eloise Blackwell tries; Maliepo 3 con)

(Chelsea Alley, Bonita Ngalulavemei, Toka Natua tries; Alley con, 2 pen). HT: 22-13.

Bay of

Waikato 23